ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia - Amnesty International asked African leaders to refuse Sudan's bid for the African Union presidency because of alleged human rights violations.Kolawole Olaniyan, Amnesty International's legal adviser on Africa, urged the African Union Assembly to address critical human rights challenges confronting Africa."It is very worrying that Sudan is again interested in becoming chair of the AU when it is continuing to commit gross human rights violations in Darfur and is failing to cooperate ... [full story]

BAGHDAD - At least 53 people were killed and 94 injured when two female suicide bombers set off devices at Baghdad pet markets.The first blast, at the Birds' Market in the city's New Baghdad district, killed eight people, KUNA, the Kuwait News Agency, reported Friday. CNN reported that an additional 14 people were injured in the attack.Iraqi police said the second bomber attacked a half an hour later at the Al Ghazil pet market, killing ... [full story]

NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania - Witnesses to a Friday morning attack on the Israeli Embassy in the Islamic Republic of Mauritania said several people were wounded by gunmen.One witness, who was not named, told Ynetnews that five people, including one foreign national, were injured during the attack in Nouakchott.The witnesses said the six gunmen shouted "God is great" in Arabic before opening fire on the embassy compound just after 2 a.m. Friday. The attackers exchanged fire with ... [full story]

ST. JOHNS, Newfoundland - The bodies of two men from a tugboat that sank in high seas on Trinity Bay have been returned to St. John's, Newfoundland.Around 10 p.m. Thursday, the Canadian Coast Guard received a garbled distress call from the Checkmate II, saying it was taking on water and pumps couldn't keep up, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp., reported.The boat was in eastern Newfoundland's Trinity Bay, where waves were running to 12 feet. It took ... [full story]

BAGHDAD - The strong political power Kurds enjoy in Iraq appears to be fomenting anger among Arab factions, a report said Friday.The Kurds, made up mostly of Sunnis, have built enormous political strength since the ouster of Saddam Hussein, staunchly backing the current Iraqi government and maintaining close ties with the United States, The New York Times said.But, efforts to seize control of the oil-rich city of Kirkuk and gain a bigger share of national ... [full story]

VICTORIA, British Columbia - Welfare recipients in British Columbia are being offered winter clothes as an incentive to switch from checks to direct bank deposits.Employment and Income Assistance Minister Claude Richmond said the $200,000 incentive program will give away 10,000 "cold weather kits" containing a knapsack, socks, a toque and a pair of gloves for recipients who go direct deposit, the Victoria (B.C.) Times-Colonist reported.Richmond said the measure was aimed at reducing lines at ministry ... [full story]

OTTAWA - Two $600 million Canadian nuclear reactors being developed to supply the world with medical isotopes are flawed and dangerous, sources told the Ottawa Sun.The officials who asked not to be identified said the reactors named Maple 1 and Maple 2 destined to replace the 1957 reactor at Chalk River, Ontario, are 400 percent over budget and eight years behind in deployment.They said the major technical problem is the nuclear reaction speeds up as ... [full story]

HAPPY VALLEY, Ore. -- A couple is offering a $10,000 reward for the return of their dog, a Pomeranian stolen during what deputies called a “bizarre break-in” Thursday morning in Happy Valley, Oregon.
A $10,000 reward is offered for info and safe return of "Ruby" - submitted photo According to Clackamas County Sheriff’s deputies, an intruder broke into Joel and Shannon Rosabal’s home at 8593 SE Boulder Creek Court on January 31 between 9:30 a.m. and ... [full story]

Well, it's Oscar time, and once again I'm taking a huge hit in the wallet.
The nominations have been announced and, as has been the trend, darn few of these movies will be out on DVD before the Feb. 24 awards ceremony - possibly because this is the earliest ceremony in 20 years.
'AWAY FROM HER' - Julie Christie has been nominated for a best actress Oscar for her work in the touching drama 'Away ... [full story]